Accepting different voices not a weakness; it's part of how democratic institutions become stronger: Stefan Liller 

UNDP's outgoing Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Liller has said ultimately, the interests of the Bangladeshi people are best served when political actors can compete, disagree, and still work within shared democratic rules, noting that Bangladesh is at a very important moment.

"Political differences are natural in any democracy. The strength of democratic culture lies not in avoiding disagreement, but in creating institutions where disagreement can be expressed peacefully, responsibly and constructively," he told UNB in an exclusive interview. 

The UN official, who is set to end his four-year tenure in Bangladesh soon, said accepting different voices and views is not a weakness; it is part of how democratic institutions become stronger. 

In Bangladesh, as in many countries emerging from a period of intense political contestation, building a culture of restraint, inclusion and consensus will be essential for lasting stability and growth, he said, highlighting the importance of dialogue and democratic culture. 

He said the political transition, the election, and the formation of a new government have created both renewed hope and significant public expectations. 

At the request of national counterparts, UNDP supported the Bangladesh Election Commission through technical and institutional assistance for the recent national election. 

"But elections are not the end of a democratic process. Their value is also tested in what follows: whether institutions are strengthened, whether citizens feel heard, and whether public trust is rebuilt through visible and credible change," said Stefan Liller.

He is a Swedish development worker with over 20 years of experience in serving the United Nations (UNDP and UNODC) at headquarters, regional and country office levels in Asia, Latin America, Europe and CIS and Africa.

Talking about institutional trust, Liller said citizens need to see that institutions are independent, fair, responsive and accountable. 

"This includes electoral institutions, the judiciary, Parliament, oversight public administration, local government and security institutions. Reform is not a technical undertaking," he said . 

Over time, it must be felt by people in their everyday lives and livelihoods, and in a stronger, fairer relationship between citizens and the state, Liller said.

A second priority is inclusion, especially the meaningful participation and leadership of women, he said.

He said women represent half of Bangladesh's population, and the country cannot reach its full potential if women's voices, leadership and economic participation are not fully reflected in national life.

"This means supporting women's leadership from communities to courts, from local government to the private sector, and from Parliament to Cabinet," Liller said, noting that Bangladesh has a proud history of women's leadership at all levels, and it is important that progress does not move backwards - women's participation must deepen.

Finally, the UN official said, reforms must deliver. "Given the nature of the current transition, expectations are understandably high."

He said people will judge this moment not only by announcements, but by whether they see improvements in justice, services, jobs, social protection, safety, accountability and dignity. 

The UN official said Bangladesh has the capacity to make this transition meaningful and the key will be to sustain reform developments with patience, openness, and a focus on all citizens. 

"I sincerely hope the present government will be able to continue progressing this forward in a way that strengthens institutions, builds trust and serves the people of Bangladesh," he said. 

Since 1972, UNDP has stood alongside #Bangladesh as a "trusted" development partner, evolving its work with the development priorities of successive governments and the aspirations of its people.

More Sustainable and Inclusive Future

"To my successor, my advice would be simple: listen deeply, travel widely, and never underestimate Bangladesh's complexity or its potential. Of course, my successor will know this well, because it is central to how UNDP works globally," Liller said.

He said Bangladesh cannot be understood only from their offices in Dhaka, and development cannot be understood only through policy documents. 

"We must spend time with communities, local governments, women's groups, young entrepreneurs, farmers, workers, civil society, the private sector, media, and institutions at every level. Some of the most important lessons are found not in meeting rooms, but in villages, urban settlements, cyclone-affected communities, markets, courts, schools, shelters, and local government offices," he said.

"We work closely with governments, while our mandate remains anchored in sustainable development, institutional strengthening, and the aspirations of people. Sustaining that credibility across political periods, institutions and communities is one of the most valuable contributions UNDP has made - and can continue to make in Bangladesh," he said.

"To the next generation of development leaders, I would say: be ambitious, but also practical and collaborative. Bangladesh has already shown the world what ambition can achieve," he added. 

Stronger Partnerships 

Liller said the next phase will require stronger partnerships across government, civil society, the private sector, academia, the media, young people, communities and development partners. 

UNDP will continue to support Bangladesh as it advances its evolving development priorities.

"This is also important as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from a Least Developed Country status," Liller said, noting that graduation is a powerful recognition of the country's remarkable progress, but it also marks the beginning of a more demanding phase of development. 

He said the next chapter will require stronger competitiveness, economic diversification, greater domestic and foreign investment, quality job creation, future-ready skills, stronger protection for vulnerable communities, new sources of financing, and growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.

Liller said the task ahead is not only to preserve past gains, but to prepare institutions, markets and people for a more complex global environment. 

"New technologies, including artificial intelligence, will create opportunities for productivity, innovation and better public services, but they will also reshape jobs, skills and labor markets, and raise new questions around inclusion, governance and equity," he said. 

"This is where future development leadership will matter most: leaders who can work across sectors, manage risks, seize opportunities, and ensure that progress is measured not only by national indicators, but by whether people experience greater security, opportunity, dignity and voice in their daily lives," he mentioned. 

Responding to a question, Liller said it is difficult to identify only one moment, because Bangladesh has been such a rich and defining assignment for him. 

Professionally, the UN official said he is most proud of the breadth of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) engagement here; from high-level policy advice and institutional support at milestone moments in the country's modern history, including at the most senior levels of leadership, to deep community-level presence in places that can only be reached by boat, on foot, or after hours of travel.

"That range is what makes UNDP's work distinctive. In Bangladesh, I have seen how national policy advice can be informed by local realities, and how local priorities can be connected to systems that respond. During the aftermath of COVID-19, UNDP's program platforms, working through social protection and local governance networks, helped reach some of the most vulnerable communities," he said.

More recently, UNDP supported the Bangladesh Elections Commission jointly with other UN agencies in a comprehensive elections support program spanning from voter registration support, which saw five million new voters registered in 2025, to addressing disinformation and building the capacity of BEC officials ahead of one of the world's largest national elections in 2026.

In urban areas, he has met women from low-income settlements who began as community leaders and later took on formal roles with city corporations and municipalities - helping bring the voices of marginalized communities into local decision-making and steer resources towards needs identified by communities themselves.

"For me, this is the essence of UNDP's value in Bangladesh which I have been proud of connecting the highest levels of policy and reform with the realities, aspirations and leadership of people on the ground," Liller said.

Memorable Moments 

He said one of the most memorable moments of his tenure was the visit of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, in her capacity as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. 

"It was her maiden visit in that role, and it allowed us to showcase Bangladesh in a powerful and nuanced way - from Dhaka to Khulna, Cox's Bazar and Hatiya, from communities facing the frontline impacts of climate change to Bangladesh's leadership in locally led climate change adaptation, digitalization, and private sector-driven development," Liller said. 

More than a high-level visit, it was an opportunity to communicate to the world the story of Bangladesh's development journey, people, culture, resilience, progress, and the work that continued cooperation can help advance.

"Personally, what I will remember with the greatest pride is the trust and relationships built over these four years - with colleagues in government, civil society, the media, communities, development partners, and citizens across the country. I have had the privilege of working with Bangladesh across three different governments and through a period of major national transition," he said. 

"To have been welcomed so openly and to have worked alongside so many people committed to Bangladesh's future has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time here," he added. 

As he prepares to leave Bangladesh to take up his next post in Beijing, China, Liller expressed his heartfelt thanks to the many people he has had the privilege of engaging with during his time here: national and local government counterparts across three different governments, community leaders, civil society, media, development partners, young people, private sector actors, local institutions, and colleagues across the United Nations system.

"I leave Bangladesh with lasting memories, deep affection, a profound sense of fulfilment, and every good wish for Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people," he said.